Rule 10.6. Judicial Council meetings

(a) Open meeting policy Business meetings are open to the public unless they are closed under (b). Other meetings, such as orientation, planning, and educational meetings, may be made open to the public at the discretion of the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice may seek a recommendation from the Executive and Planning Committee on whether all or part of any meeting should be open or closed. Any discussion or decision of the full council at a business meeting regarding a trial court budget allocation must take place in an open meeting of the council, except for an executive session as provided in (b).

(b) Closed sessions The Chief Justice may close all or part of a business meeting because of the nature of the meeting or of matters to be discussed. The following matters will ordinarily be discussed in closed session:

(1) A personnel matter or a discussion of the character, competence, or physical or mental health of an individual;

(2) Claims or litigation in which the Judicial Council has an interest;

(3) Contract, labor, or legislative negotiations;

(4) The purchase, sale, or lease of real property;

(5) Security plans or procedures;

(6) Allegations of criminal or professional misconduct; and

(7) Discussions protected by the attorney-client privilege.

(c) Conduct at meeting Members of the public who attend open meetings must remain orderly. The Chief Justice may order the removal of any disorderly persons.

(d) Requests to speak-general The Executive and Planning Committee, in its discretion, may allow a member of the public to speak at a business meeting. Unless the Chief Justice waives this requirement, any member of the public who wishes to speak at a business meeting must submit a request of no more than two pages to the chair of the Executive and Planning Committee by delivering it to the Judicial Council (attention Judicial Council Support) at least four business days before the meeting.

(1) Contents of the request

(A) A description of the agenda item to be addressed;

(B) A specific recitation of the proposed statement with an explanation of its relevance to the agenda item and the reasons it would be of benefit to the council in its deliberations;

(C) The name, residence, and occupation of the person asking to speak and, if applicable, the name, address, and purpose of the agency or organization that the speaker represents;

(D) If available, telephone and fax numbers and e-mail address of the person asking to speak and, if applicable and available, the telephone, fax numbers, and e-mail address of the agency or organization that the speaker represents;

(E) The words “Request to Speak at Judicial Council Meeting” displayed prominently in letters at least one-quarter-inch high on the envelope containing the request; and

(F) A copy of any written materials the speaker proposes to distribute at the meeting.

(2) Notice of decision

(e) Presentation of information on trial court budget matters

(1) Presentation of written information

(2) Oral presentation

(3) Limit on number and time

(f) Video recording, photographing, and broadcasting at meeting The Chief Justice may permit video recording, photographing, or broadcasting of a meeting. Any such video recording, photographing, or broadcasting is subject to regulations that ensure the meeting’s security and dignity. A request to record, photograph, or broadcast a council meeting must be received by the Chief Justice at least two business days before the meeting.

(g) Minutes as official records The Secretary of the Judicial Council must prepare written minutes of each council meeting for approval at the next council meeting. When approved by the council, the minutes constitute the official record of the meeting.

Committee Notes

(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2004.)

(Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2004.)

(Subd (d) amended effective January 1, 2016; previously amended effective January 1, 2004, and January 1, 2007.)

(Subd (e) amended effective January 1, 2016; adopted effective January 1, 2004; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)

(Subd (f) relettered effective January 1, 2004; adopted as subd (e).)

(Subd (g) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2004; adopted as subd (f).)